The Fall

Part 8

Castiel:

When he got home, Cas sat at the edge of his bed, recounting the whole experience. In his hands he clasped the Beatles cassette. He’d have to be giving it back soon. Dean had given it t0o him so that he would feel better, and Dean had done an alright job getting the job done himself. He pulled the letter out of the plastic casing. He read over it again, feeling a blush rise to his cheeks as his eyes coasted over Dean’s messy scrawl.

The letter was too kind. Cas couldn’t stand it. It made him feel fuzzy inside, like he’d swallowed a cup of snow, or been punched. The feeling could be described as butterflies in his stomach, but he knew what it was. It was love. He hated to think of it as such, considering dean seemed to be pretty much the most machismo, hard assed straight guy Cas had ever met. A guy could hope, though. He folded the letter carefully, like a scientist handling a precious specimen and set it gently on his windowsill.

Maybe, Castiel thought, maybe he’d write one back.

          Valentine ’s Day was tomorrow, after all. The thought of writing to Dean made Castiel’s knees shake. He was a nervous guy, that much was obvious, but he hadn’t been this nervous in ages. It was apparent that Gabe had told Dean the whole story of how things had ended at his old school, and Cas didn’t want to approach Dean in any way that would scare him off. He was the best friend that Cas had ever had, and that wasn’t worth nothing. Cas needed him. Dean deserved to know that.

          Cas grabbed a dull number two pencil off of his nightstand, summoned his courage, and got to writing.

          “Dear Dean,” He began.

          Once he had finished the letter, his hands were shaking and his eyes stung. Castiel was  tired. When had he last gotten a full eight hours? He couldn’t say that he remembered for sure, but it had been far too long, that much was certain. He pulled Gabriel’s scratchy quilt over his shoulders and put the cassette tape in the player.

          Might as well give it one more listen, He thought to himself as he drifted off to sleep.

          He woke up the following morning ensnared in the wires of his headphones. He didn’t move, listening to the melody of, “Hey Jude,” blaring softly from the pillow beside him. It was early. The sun had just begun to snake above the horizon, and its cold silver rays fell over his shoulders like a silver veil. He groaned. It was really early. Out of the corner of his eye he saw it, the letter he had written last night to Dean, A thought exploded into his mind, he has an Idea. It was risky, but maybe worth a try. Why the hell not, he reasoned.

          He walked swiftly over to Gabe’s room and rapped on the door.

          “What?” Gabriel repied.

          “I need to borrow money, for Valentines.”

          “Ugh. That. Give me a minute.”

          A moment passed and a white envelope slid under the door.

          “To my queer little angel.” Gabriel said, sleep slurring his speech.

          “Thank you Gabriel,” Cas said with an exasperated sigh.

          “It’s nothin’ baby bro, go and get some.”

          “Mhm…” Cas replied.

          He opened up the envelope, raising his eyebrow when he saw what it contained. Packed inside were thirty or so one dollar bills, crumpled and frayed beyond belief.